PENSACOLA, FL: Judy Berk taught for 35 years, including 20 years in kindergarten in Glastonbury, Connecticut, holding up picture books and watching little faces light up. She knew which stories engage children. She knew, better than most, what it takes to hold a young reader’s attention from the very first line to the very last page. Now, she has put all of that knowledge to work in a story of her own.

Her debut picture book, Goldifox and the Three Hares, arriving in 2026 for children ages 4 to 8, is the kind of book Berk would have reached for during story time without a second thought. It takes the familiar bones of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and rebuilds them into something entirely new, set in the cheerful town of Carrot Top, populated by three hares named Hoppington, Hopkins, and Little Hopster, and anchored by an unforgettable character named Droolius Cheester, a dog with a legendary love of cheese and an unexpected gift for heroism.

The story kicks off when the three hares decide to enter a carrot-themed cooking contest, a welcome break from their everyday routine. Their kitchen is warm, their baked goods are fragrant, and the town of Carrot Top is buzzing with anticipation. That is, until Goldifox arrives. The sly, irresistible scent-follower manages to turn a perfectly planned day upside down, leaving it to Droolius Cheester to step in and set things right. What follows is the kind of read-aloud gold that parents and teachers live for: amusing enough to captivate children, meaningful enough to leave something behind.

Berk’s creativity and imagination are visible on every page. The storytelling moves with the kind of rhythm that holds a young child’s attention, and the themes of loyalty, courage, cooperation, and the value of showing up for one another are woven in naturally rather than announced. The book also comes with a set of discussion questions and writing prompts, giving parents and educators an easy way to extend the conversation well beyond the final page.

Since its release, Goldifox and the Three Hares has earned praise from educators, psychologists, and parents who have responded warmly to its rich language, vibrant illustrations, and its genuine celebration of community and family. It is the opening chapter of the Carrot Top series, and if early enthusiasm is any indication, readers young and old are already counting on there being more.

Judy Berk holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University with a concentration in Early Childhood Learning. After teaching kindergarten through second grade over the course of 35 years in Glastonbury, Connecticut, she retired to Pensacola, Florida, where she lives with her three dogs, Smitty, Lola, and Bruiser. Goldifox and the Three Hares is her first book.